It’s a crazy time, this whole back-to-school thing. From the early morning power-rush, to homework and after-school activities, September is a month-long blur for many families living in our area. While it’s easy to get caught up in the litany of day-to-day responsibilities, it’s equally easy to forget about keeping up with our pets.
This is the time of year where many dogs begin showing new behavioural problems, and they most certainly have to do with adjusting to a busier way of life after a relatively laid-back summer. Without making the right changes, this can be the beginning of a very frustrating time for dogs and owners alike.
To help your dog avoid the back-to-school blues, follow these simple guidelines.
Adjusting to a New Routine
With the laid-back routine that often comes with summer, people are typically around the home all the time. Now that we are in full back-to-school mode, many dogs are home alone more often. Without easing into this new routine, a sudden change like this may lead to an increase in anxiety, depression, and other behavioural problems.
Providing the right tools to help your dog focus on constructive activities is key. Boredom sucks. Loneliness is, well… lonely. Find your dog’s motivators and get creative!
Being home alone doesn’t have to be a time of stress and anxiety. It can be entertaining once you provide the right distractions. Most dogs are food motivated, so treats are a good place to start.
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Stuff treats or food in a kong-like toy. Consider using peanut butter to plug the toy. Freeze it beforehand for a different experience.
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Scavenger hunt! Hide treats and toys around the house.
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Try new things. Keep it fun.
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Leaving the TV or radio on provides comfort to some dogs.
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CBD oils are popular remedies for stress and anxiety as they are efficient calmers.
Exercise
There are so many commitments this time of year, certain things inevitably get left by the wayside. Exercise and activity is commonly one of them. Many dogs receive less exercise in September compared to their summer activity. A tired dog is a happy dog, and without adequate exercise, there is no comparable alternative. The less activity a dog receives, the more likely he is to develop behavioural problems. This is most particular in working breeds, where they are meant to be in their fields all day, every day. This built-up energy needs to be constantly released, otherwise it will manifest itself in undesirable ways, like chewing, barking, and misbehaving.
If you’re struggling to find more time to exercise your dog, get creative with the time you have.
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A half-hour at the dog park can be equivalent to hours of walking.
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Consider hiring a dog walker a few times per week and go from there.
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Take your dog to an open field and tether him with a long-line. This gives him more range and freedom, but is still secure.
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Swimming. Take advantage of it while you still can.
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Stay consistent with activity. This is a daily imperative for any well-balanced dog.
Proper Portions
Back-to-school season is when dogs are most likely to gain weight. As we are caught up in back-to-school life, our dog’s activity levels go down, and their calorie intake actually increases as we substitute exercise with more bones, treats, and other goodies to keep Fido occupied.
There is nothing wrong with giving your dog treats, of course. It’s all about portion control. It doesn’t have to be an exact science, but if your dog eats more treats today, give him a little less at dinner to compensate. That, or increase his activity levels accordingly.
Quality Time
We love the bond we have with our dogs, don’t we? Spending quality time together is essential for maintaining a strong, life-lasting connection. Unfortunately, the reality is there are a million things to do every day, and for many pet owners, they are simply too busy to spend consistent quality time with their pets. For both your sakes, allocate a small period of time to spend together every day.
Remember, he may only be with you for part of your life, but you are his entire life, and to him, there is nothing more important in this world than you.
Sometimes it’s difficult to see the forest for the trees. As we are bombarded with back-to-school responsibilities, it’s easy to forget about the (not-so) little things. With some careful planning, and a little effort, transitioning your pooch from summer life to school season can be a positive and rewarding experience.
Brandon Forder – also known as The Pet Expert – is vice-president of Canadian Pet Connection, a family-owned and -operated business located in Meaford. He has over twenty-five years of experience specializing in pet nutrition, behaviour and lifestyle. Canadian Pet Connection is an industry leader committed to providing their clients with the highest levels of personal, attentive service. Learn more at www.CanadianPetConnection.ca
